Chap. 2

Kate had dressed in a robotic motion, if it were any other day she would take great care in choosing what outfit she wanted to wear, or the way she would place her hair. Today, however she grabbed what was closest; a pair of black Levis and a green ¾ length-sleeved blouse. Her hair had dried in waves and all she did was put a matching green slim headband to hold her bangs back. No makeup was applied, her teeth were brushed and she was out the door.

The drive to NCIS was slow and uneventful all she could think about was her father's release; she still couldn't fathom the fact that anyone would let someone like her dad out of jail. She took a few deep breaths pausing a second or two between and started over again. She knew her brother would be here as soon as possible she had a very healthy relationship with her brother; it had to be for her to get over the ordeal all those years ago.

As she parked her car in the Navy Yard she just sat there a minute and rested her forehead on the steering wheel.

"Come on Todd you can do this, you've done for the past 20 years for crying out loud!" she said to herself. Deep Breath. Gathering her purse and keys she stepped out of the car but the second she saw the News trucks parked at the entrance and noticed Jenny Sheppard exchanging furious words with the crew she wanted to hide under her bed forever.

This was the first step and she knew it, gathering all her strength she took proud steps towards the side path to the entrance in hope to avoid any unwanted confrontation. In that instance fate was not smiling on her. A cameraman spotted her and threw his hand in the air to get her attention.

"Miss Todd, can we get a comment?" at that moment the whole group turned their heads and they all fell on Kate. The second the worlds came out of his mouth her head shot up and she looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Both reporters and Cameramen hurried to where Kate was and questions were thrown at her top speed.

"Miss Todd, how does it feel to know your father is out of jail?"

"Do you have any comments on your brother's whereabouts?"

"How did you deal with your mother's untimely death?"

Her head was going back and forth towards the speakers to tell them to take a hike but another question was said. At the minute she thought she couldn't handle another question she felt an arm grab hold of her upper arm and attempt to pull her to safety. Her head shot to the right and was met with Jen's sympathetic face. As they hurried towards the entrance the hustle followed them, never relenting their questions. Through the whole ordeal Jen merely answered "No Comment!" When they were in the doorway one question broke through the crowd that caused Kate to crack.

"Now that your father has been released, will you get back together with him?" Kate halted in her steps and her ears started to heat up as they did when she was angry. She whirled again and was met with about 10 microphones shoved in her face.

"Are you serious? You want to know if I'll look for him? Would you want to get back with a man who beat and abused you since you were merely old enough to talk? Would you want to talk to the man who beat you and your brother day and night for his pure enjoyment? Would you even want a group of media hounds to show up at your work and remind that girl that when she was 8 the man she was suppose to call 'her father' beat and killed her mother because she tried to protect her kids!" She yelled in their faces as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"We have freedom of speech, the people have the right to know-"

"To know what? How you're ruining people's lives for extra ratings? You think you're helping people when you 'report' the news, but honestly you're making it worse," she whispered in sheer anger.

She pushed the through the door and marched through security with taking the time to make small talk with Barney.

Jen who had heard everything and was speechless at the door along with everyone else turned towards the News crews and bellowed in her best authority voice.

"Get the hell off this Base!" she turned and left them high and dry gaping like codfish as she went and tried to find her agent.

Kate ran a beeline for the stairs, she needed to talk with someone that wouldn't judge her as week and just treat her like a normal person with a problem. As tears continued to fall down her cheeks she made her way slowly down to 'Autopsy'.

When she reached 'Autopsy' she heard muffling voices of her dear friend Ducky. She managed a small smile when she realized he must be talking to the new arrival. She rubbed at her eyes to clear the flow of salty tears and pushed her way through the two doors.

"Ahh Jethro I've been expecting you- Oh Caitlin, dear how are you feeling? Come here," he beckoned and held his arms out for her to retreat to. She briskly walked over to where he stood, him still wearing his civilian clothes having just arrived. "I'm so sorry Caitlin I had no clue,"

"It's okay Ducky, none of you did," she said as she burrowed her face into the lapel of his jacket where she caught the faint smell of whiskey and oak from his prestigious home he shared with his mother.

"Why haven't you told us Caitlin?" Ducky asked as he ran his hand up and down her back as if she were a small child needing protection from a demon.

"It's my nightmare, I didn't want to bother you with it," she mumbled into his coat lamely.

"Well that's silly dear, we're a family, not matter what happened to you in the past we're always here for you," he said as he withdrew her from his chest a little and wiped the tears flowing non-stop from her eyes.

"Thanks Ducky, I know I could count on you," she said as she plastered a little smile on her lips and blew her nose on the tissue Ducky gave her.

"That's my girl, now why don't you splash some cold water on your face and we'll take it from there," he suggested as he walked over to the coat hanger in the far corner of his lb and hung his trench coat and hat before he rubbed his hands together.

George Todd took his first steps into the apartment the court had leased him and shed his suit jacket. For twenty years he awaited the day to breathe to free air and fell the wind go through his no crew cut grey hair. Now that he was free he had great plans he was about to let unfold. He knew as he undid his tie and threw it on his bed that that news cast rocked his children's world. He also knew that because of it Michael would come running to his little sister's side, it would make it all the easier for him. As he placed his beat up suitcase on the rickety poor excuse for a mattress and un zipped it as his parole officer poked his head through the door for the briefest second before making his way down the hall to the fridge.

Making sure his patrol officer wasn't anywhere to be seen he shrugged off his suit and exchanged is for a sweatshirt and jeans he picked up at a Zellers on the way to his apartment. Changing his dress shoes into runners he double knotted them and crept over to the opening of his room and yelled to officer making himself a sandwich.

"Hey Lou I'm going to take a shower," he said as he walked over to the ratty bathroom connected to his room and pulled the shower curtain open and cringed at the state of the appliance. The walls were cracked and mildew was slowly spreading through the many cracks.

"Help yourself, don't take all the hot water though, by the looks of this trash can we'll need it for supper," Lou responded as he stacked up the salami and pastrami between two buns.

George ran his hand through his silver buzzed hair and brought the hood of his sweatshirt over it before he turned on the shower, shut the curtain and scurried out the bathroom closing the door behind him. Dashing across the room he went over to his window and pried it open, which proved very difficult due to the dried paint that was so meticulously applied. Once the layer was chipped and gotten rid of he slid the door open and hoisted himself on the fire escape ladder. Turning his body briefly he slid the window close and swiftly made his descent from the 9th floor.

The minute he slid down the ladder onto a closed trash dumpster and leaped off that he made his way out of the alley whistling like any average joe. As he strolled down the street he headed for the corner coffee house to meet his informant. Tucking his hands into the pockets of his jeans he looked both ways before he made a run across the street into an 80's style coffee house.

Once in he took off his hood and looked around the brightly lit room for the man he sought. In the corner of his eye he noticed the man in the far corner taking a forkful of apple pie and shoving it into his mouth hungrily. He approached the homeless looking man who wore a mole bitten plaid shirt and dirt encrusted jeans. When he got there he took his seat in the red leather booth he roamed his eyes around for any onlookers, satisfied they were apart from the major groups he leaned over to the other man and spoke in hushed tones.

"Did you acquire it?" he said as he took the man's mug and poured some milk and sprinkled a decent amount of singer into it as he stirred it absently placing all his attention on the man before him. The burly man coughed and without taking a pause from his pie slid a manila folder across the table in which George cleared his throat and slid in under his sweatshirt and tucked it in the rim of his pants. He downed the rest of the coffee in one gulp, slid back to his informant the wad of unmarked hundred dollar bills and scooted out of the booth and exited the coffee shop to make his way back to his apartment before his oaf of a patrol officer would notice his disappearance.

AN: Thank you for all the reviews you've sent me (smiles) hope you like this chapter as much as you did the first. Enjoy. xox